The situation in Gaza and Israel has thrown the plight of children across the world into sharp relief. British Fantasy Authors, inspired by Anna Smith-Spark have made generous contributions of their time, opportunities and artefacts to help raise money to support desperate children. In the midst of the hectic process of setting this fundraiser up, Anna found the time to chat to the Hive about this very worthwhile effort.

1. Welcome back to the Hive Anna, and it’s always good to talk – but this time it’s not directly about books. Tell us a bit about this cause that you’re hoping to raise funds for.

In four days, from nothing, I’ve organised the British Fantasy Society fundraiser, auctioning books, critiques, tuckerisations and other weird and wonderful fantasy-related things to raise money for Save the Children. Save the Children operate worldwide, they’re currently active in Israel and Gaza helping children affected by the tragedy unfolding as we speak. They’re in Afghanistan helping in the aftermath of last week’s earthquake, in Ukraine, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Libya, Sudan … they’re helping children all around the world affected by war, terrorism, natural disasters, poverty, disease …

2. Originally, I think it was just something you had thought of doing yourself, just enlisting help from friends and fellow authors, but the plan has grown somewhat since then. Can you tell us about some of the people and organisations who have picked up on this idea and got involved.

The community’s response has, as I guessed it would – been incredible. I originally just reached out to a few writer friends suggesting they give a spare book. Now I have people messaging me asking to be involved, we’ve gone worldwide, and the bid total is at £1000 as I write this, an hour after the auction opened.

Titan are involved, and Black Crow Promotions, and so many authors…

3. Tell us about some of the donors and what they are offering in support of this very worthy cause. (Great so people can get benefit from some great opportunities at the same time as making a donation towards a very worthy cause.)

Ryan Carhill and Mike Shackle have both donated Broken Binding special editions of Of Blood and Fire and the complete Last War trilogy respectively– possibly the most beautiful books I have ever seen.

Gareh Hanrahan has donated a name a character with a difference – you can name an evil knight, the bad guy’s chief henchman, and design their heraldry. I mean … how amazing…? And J E Hannaford has a name a character that let’s you adopt a moonhound of your own. I still smile everytime I think of the  moonhounds in Gates of Hope. And Steven Erikson – Steven! Erikson! – has offered a name a character. You can be in Malazan!

I’ve offered a set of all my novels, annotated with my thoughts, inspirations, references, in-jokes, passages I love, passages I found really hard to write, and including photos and cuttings of places and objects that inspired me.

Then there are the critiques – authors will look at 5000 words of a novel and give harsh but helpful feedback to help people take their writing up a level. And editors/publishers will look at a submissions package and give advice.

There are two tickets to see Cassandra Clare on tour in the UK. There are mystery boxes of surprise books. There’s even an opportunity to have your own theme tune composed.

You at the Hive have generously donated a bag of mystery books!

4. The situation in Israel and Gaza is truly horrific and it is sad to see how the political complexities of the situation can be swept aside in increasingly polarised public opinion and media stories that can too easily fuel hate and obscure what should be a humanitarian perspective on the many innocent victims on both sides of the conflict. Tell us how your appeal sets to avoid exacerbating that polarisation.

The situation in Israel and Gaza is beyond comprehension. I chose Save the Children because they have been clear from the outset that they’re operating in both Israel and Gaza, supporting children affected all across the area and in many different ways. I have a friend who lives in Israel – I think about him every day at the moment. I have dear friends who are Jewish and dear friends who are Palestinian. All just wonderful normal flawed people, devastated by what’s unfolding.

5. One of the key features of speculative fiction is its escapism from reality. Much as famous footballers can get chastised in the media for venturing an opinion on the politics of poverty, there might be a suggestion that the fantasy community is about anything but the grim realities of contemporary life. How would you respond to people who might say – fantasy fiction isn’t where I do or want to see my charity work?

Fantasy is about power, about war, about people living in extreme situations – for good and often for bad. Fantasy has a moral obligation to address these issues head on. To examine the kings and leaders, the warriors, the victims, to tell all their stories and ask the big questions. Also, as I’ve said before, SFF is a genre of possibilities. We should try to make real the wonders we see in our dreams of dragons, elven forests, alien planets – and make the world a better place in any and every way we can.

Also we’re just selling books here! Buy a book, read it, feel good the money went to charity.

6. And finally, where can people access some of these great opportunities and more importantly start handing over cash for this very worthy cause?

There is a link here www.galabid.com/bfs But hurry – things are going fast!